I can understand it if you don't want to talk about it, but its really not good to keep it in for too long. The disappointment will grow and will start to eat at you. We need to face the horrible truth..."The...Celtics...LOST!...and won't... (I can't do it)...go all the way...this...ugh!...year". There, I did it, and since it was a healthy thing to do, I'll probably eventually start feeling better.

Are you ok? How are you dealing with the tragedy? Wanna talk about it?

(I've got a feeling this thread will be one of the shortest ones ever! There are just some things people don't (understandably so) want to talk about.)

Originally Posted by blhowes

I can understand it if you don't want to talk about it, but its really not good to keep it in for too long. The disappointment will grow and will start to eat at you. We need to face the horrible truth..."The...Celtics...LOST!...and won't... (I can't do it)...go all the way...this...ugh!...year". There, I did it, and since it was a healthy thing to do, I'll probably eventually start feeling better.

Are you ok? How are you dealing with the tragedy? Wanna talk about it?

(I've got a feeling this thread will be one of the shortest ones ever! There are just some things people don't (understandably so) want to talk about.)

The celtics burnt by heat?

Same with the Lakers. The two big dogs in the league appear to have crested. It actually may be time for each to reload.

I was somewhat surprised to hear this morning that Doc Rivers is planning on coming back. The Celtics are [have been] aging badly and need some new life. Trading Perkins was one of the most curious mistakes of the year and really ended their playoff run before it started.

The only way I see the Lakers making it back to the finals in the next year or two is if they somehow get Dwight Howard [but then again at what cost?]. So much is going to rely on who replaces Phil Jackson that it's hard to speculate beyond that until we know who the next guy is.

Go Memphis. And if they don't make it, Go Heat! Yes, I said it.

Originally Posted by Michael

Trading Perkins was one of the most curious mistakes of the year and really ended their playoff run before it started.

The jury is still out on whether that was a mistake or not. Had Ainge waited he wouldn't have gotten anything for him. Who would have thought both O'Neals would go down?

Memphis had the opportunity to put OKC down in the second overtime on Monday. Instead of dunking on a fast break, they passed it off, choked, and turned it over-ultimately losing as a result. Last night they were physically exhausted. Hopefully, they will be rested up for Friday. The city will be turning out en masse to make sure that OKC feels the pressure. At this point though, it is statistically improbable that Memphis will come back and take the series-not impossible though.

C's fan since the early 1970s. This generation has been tougher to cheer for than prior champions. How do I seriously rate Paul Pierce amongst White, Hondo, Cowens, Bird, Chief, McHale? Or any of the others from 08-11?

It has been plain that nobody in the East should beat a motivated and healthy Miami this year. Any talk otherwise is whistling past the graveyard.

It was a good ride for Boston for a few years, but it is over and the rebuilding commences.

Dwight would look good in green.

Originally Posted by blhowes

I can understand it if you don't want to talk about it, but its really not good to keep it in for too long. The disappointment will grow and will start to eat at you. We need to face the horrible truth..."The...Celtics...LOST!...and won't... (I can't do it)...go all the way...this...ugh!...year". There, I did it, and since it was a healthy thing to do, I'll probably eventually start feeling better.

Are you ok? How are you dealing with the tragedy? Wanna talk about it?

(I've got a feeling this thread will be one of the shortest ones ever! There are just some things people don't (understandably so) want to talk about.)

Sad, sad, sad. LOL. I love the Cs. Now I'm cheering or anyone who is playing against the Heat. Not because I don't like the Heat or because they put the Cs out, BUT to silence all the bandwagon fans. They are almost unbearable. lol

ROCK ON, MAVs!

For the life of me, other than Mark Cuban's big mouth, I cannot understand why the MAVs are so hated/ignored. Nearly all of the media coverage pertaining to their dogged sweep of the Lakers is, well, about the Lakers! Poor Lakers. What will they do to transition to next year? Yada yada yada. Simply amazing.

Originally Posted by Gloria

BUT to silence all the bandwagon fans

These are the only reasons a person should be a fan of a pro sports team:
1. You were born in the city or state that the team represents
2. You currently reside in the city or state that the team represents
3. You formerly lived in the city or state that the team represents
4. There is no pro team in your city or state and they are in the same geographical region
5. You have a relative playing for the team

Other than that, you have no business rooting for the team.

Originally Posted by Bill The Baptist

Originally Posted by Gloria

BUT to silence all the bandwagon fans

These are the only reasons a person should be a fan of a pro sports team:
1. You were born in the city or state that the team represents
2. You currently reside in the city or state that the team represents
3. You formerly lived in the city or state that the team represents
4. There is no pro team in your city or state and they are in the same geographical region
5. You have a relative playing for the team

Other than that, you have no business rooting for the team.

What about,
6. Having no pro team for your city, you follow a hometown college player to his professional team.
7. Having no real interest, you root for whomever your husband roots for.
8. You follow a hometown-boy-turned-team-owner to his new team.
9. You celebrate the crushing blow a player dealt to a rival city by following that player to his new team.

Originally Posted by Bill The Baptist

Originally Posted by Gloria

BUT to silence all the bandwagon fans

These are the only reasons a person should be a fan of a pro sports team:
1. You were born in the city or state that the team represents
2. You currently reside in the city or state that the team represents
3. You formerly lived in the city or state that the team represents
4. There is no pro team in your city or state and they are in the same geographical region
5. You have a relative playing for the team

Other than that, you have no business rooting for the team.

Hogwash. Only if one is a collectivist of sorts.

Originally Posted by he beholds

What about,
6. Having no pro team for your city, you follow a hometown college player to his professional team.
7. Having no real interest, you root for whomever your husband roots for.
8. You follow a hometown-boy-turned-team-owner to his new team.
9. You celebrate the crushing blow a player dealt to a rival city by following that player to his new team

Number 6 could be a legitimate reason. Number 7 begs the question, if you don't care why root? Number 8 is a stretch and number 9 is just petty.

I'm sure there are other legitimate reasons, but very few.

I've never cared for the motivation of others and why they chose a team.

Probably saved my life a few times in the midst of dangerous soccer, NFL and minor hockey crowds.

Originally Posted by Joshua

ROCK ON, MAVs!

For the life of me, other than Mark Cuban's big mouth, I cannot understand why the MAVs are so hated/ignored. Nearly all of the media coverage pertaining to their dogged sweep of the Lakers is, well, about the Lakers! Poor Lakers. What will they do to transition to next year? Yada yada yada. Simply amazing.

That's because the Mavs are among the most boring and soft teams in all of sports over the last decade. Dirk is incredible, but the Mavs have been proving for a decade that you cannot win an NBA championship with the strategy of having your #2 player be as good as your #10 player.

I'm actually sorry that the Celtics lost. Given that I have hated them for years, that tells you how much I can't stand the preening, whining, dancing fools of the Heat. It will be good if someone beats the Heat. It will be even better if it is LeBron's fault that they lose.

I like the OKC Thunder

Originally Posted by fredtgreco

That's because the Mavs are among the most boring and soft teams in all of sports over the last decade. Dirk is incredible, but the Mavs have been proving for a decade that you cannot win an NBA championship with the strategy of having your #2 player be as good as your #10 player.

I will grant that over the last several years, but this year is different with Tyson Chandler. In my humble opinion, he has brought a much needed confidence and energy to this team. If Caron Butler were to recover in time to play a bit this series, that would also be a welcome improvement also.

Mavs never got to play the Lakers for the last decade.

Turns out they matched up very well after all.

There's no accounting for taste.

The series ought to be 3-2 in Memphis' favor. Memphis had a fast break off a turnover in the second OT that should have developed into an easy dunk but instead was squandered and resulted into a turnover, which OKC also squandered.

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are impressive players, along with James Harden. I like Harden especially. He is cool under pressure and seems to maintain a good attitude. Conversely, Kendrick Perkins needs to be punched in the face. He's a fool and a thug. He fouled out of the game on Monday and was trash talking the referees who, in all honesty, gave OKC the game sending their guards to the line anytime a Memphis player moved close to them. It was especially egregious considering I watched as Shane Battier was literally shoved over several times. He didn't even have the ball, they were just shoving him to shove him. No foul though. The reason OKC closed the gap is because the refs kept calling fouls that flat weren't fouls. OKC was stellar from the line.

What about:

10. Having no team that fits any of the above criteria, you pick a team because you admire their style of play or what they stand for.

This was how I became a Cincinnati Reds fan while growing up in the 70's on Navajo Indian land in rural New Mexico. I loved baseball, but there was no team with any connection to the area. However, the Reds could hit the ball. They had talented players who largely avoided the egotism found on large-market coastal city teams. And in many notable cases they took on those teams (Dodgers, A's, Yankees, Mets) and often won. (I will say that the 1975 Red Sox were an exception to the large-market coastal hubris rule. A classy team. And a great series with the Reds.)

Really, since in basketball I mostly fall under my reason number seven and just root for my husband's team (Memphis--and his is because of my number six with Sam Young) but like other teams because of my other reasons, I think anyone can like a team legitimately for any reason. Though when I meet Pittsburghers who don't like the Steelers it does cause some ill-will toward them.

I think sports has room for any number of motivations for liking a team, even pettiness or simply being inspired or liking the color of a uniform, etc! And why root when you don't care? Well, it helps you care. And if you are going to be watching these games and being told about the stats, it's more fun when you've got some stock in it.

Originally Posted by jayce475

The celtics burnt by heat?

THAT was cold! (lol)

Originally Posted by Michael

The Celtics are [have been] aging badly and need some new life.

Anybody in particular you think should be let go? I think after making such a statement, you Should Have A Quick answer, and won't even have to think about it.

---------- Post added at 07:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:33 PM ----------

Originally Posted by he beholds

Go Heat! Yes, I said it.

Moderators/Administrators, can you handle this one for me. A little out of line, wouldn't you agree?

Originally Posted by Bill The Baptist

Originally Posted by Gloria

BUT to silence all the bandwagon fans

These are the only reasons a person should be a fan of a pro sports team:
1. You were born in the city or state that the team represents
2. You currently reside in the city or state that the team represents
3. You formerly lived in the city or state that the team represents
4. There is no pro team in your city or state and they are in the same geographical region
5. You have a relative playing for the team

Other than that, you have no business rooting for the team.

Who died and made you Sport's king? lol.

Originally Posted by awretchsavedbygrace

Originally Posted by Bill The Baptist

Originally Posted by Gloria

BUT to silence all the bandwagon fans

These are the only reasons a person should be a fan of a pro sports team:
1. You were born in the city or state that the team represents
2. You currently reside in the city or state that the team represents
3. You formerly lived in the city or state that the team represents
4. There is no pro team in your city or state and they are in the same geographical region
5. You have a relative playing for the team

Other than that, you have no business rooting for the team.

Who died and made you Sport's king? lol.

I'm pretty sure he was just stirring the pot. It appears to have worked!

Originally Posted by torstar

It was a good ride for Boston for a few years, but it is over and the rebuilding commences.

I came to Massachusetts back in the early 80's, and really enjoyed watching Bird, Ainge, McHale, etc. It was awesome. After they retired, the team just wasn't the same for years, and I must admit I wasn't as faithful as I should have been over years. Then, the first time I happened to turn on the game and saw Rondo play for the first time, I knew they were headed in the right direction, with much potential.

I severely like the NBA, but LET'S GO HAWKS!

There, I said it.

Originally Posted by Gloria

Sad, sad, sad. LOL. I love the Cs.

Your husband must be very proud of you. You sound like a person of great wisdom.

---------- Post added at 08:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:24 PM ----------

Originally Posted by fredtgreco

I'm actually sorry that the Celtics lost.

I feel your pain, brother!

Originally Posted by Marrow Man

I severely like the NBA, but LET'S GO HAWKS!

that should say, "I severely DISLIKE the NBA..."

I dislike all teams in Houston. The Rockets had a fantastic coach and instead of getting talent, they let the coach go. This is the same coach that the Lakers are drooling over.

Of the teams left, I want a Mavs-Heat finals. Mavs because I am true to TX and Heat because I would like to see Lebron and Wade accomplish what they set out to do.